Celebrate Christmas together as we tell the story of God with us, make crafts, sing and share a meal!
All are welcome!
Author: admin
A Strong Foundation for Community Health
St. Luke’s is proud to have the structure of our church home restored and to become a unique historical resource in our city.
Excitement was in the air when this second location was built for St. Luke’s in 1958. It was modern, unique and beautiful. The perfect home for the growing community of faith and the work they wanted do with the surrounding neighbourhood.
Now in 2022 that excitement is present again as we remember and preserve the history of our building, while helping to ensure its place in the life of the neighbourhood for years to come.
The structural repair of one of the signature arches of the building was a seemingly small piece of work but required a great deal of engineering. Completing the work to restore the safety and beauty of the building would not have been possible without funding support from the Anglican Foundation and the City of Edmonton. The people of St. Luke’s are grateful for the City’s care for its living history and the Anglican Foundations support of the many ministries that call this place home.
Today the St. Luke’s building is home to three separate Christian communities, a small Indigenous owned and operated business, community league events, a weekly food bank depot, and many other groups and events which change and enhance the lives of our neighbours in body, mind, heart and soul.
The many personal donations, the Anglican Foundation funding for this restoration and the ongoing maintenance funding through the historical designation, ensure that this place of worship will continue to be available to the public for the flourishing of our neighbourhood for years to come.
Let me know if you would like me to expand on anything or if you have any particular questions or direction in mind.
The people of St. Luke’s express deep gratitude to all those who have helped keep our place of prayer safe and welcoming for all who come and take part in the many gifts of this place.
You can read more about the designation from the city here.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Nick Trussell+
Messy Church : Run the Race! June 11th 4pm
Games, Races and Ice Cream! Gather at St. Luke’s at 4pm then we’ll walk to the park together for soccer, races and ice cream making! Bring a lawn chair. What we win is fun and friendship; the gold of the Kingdom that never fades.
You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.
I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No lazy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (The Message)
Moose Hide Campaign
The Moose Hide Campaign is a movement of Indigenous and non-Indigenous men and boys who are standing up against violence towards women and children. It has grown into a national campaign to engage all Canadians.
Begin your Moose Hide Campaign Day of prayer and fasting with ceremony to set your intention. (8am MST)
Continue with learning more at moosehidecampaign.ca
Taizé at St. Luke’s
St. Luke’s was scheduled to host an ecumenical Taizé prayer service in May though obviously the global pandemic has changed the plan a bit.
Here you will find a video of the musicians sharing their music and prayer. We hope it is useful for your own prayer and meditation.
You can learn more about Taizé at https://www.taize.fr/ and join the brother’s in their prayer practice on facebook
The Taizé Prayer in Edmonton and area Facebook can also be found on facebook https://www.facebook.com/edmontontaizeprayer/
Quilt Draw
Easter Morning!
Christ is Risen!! Alleluia!!
You can find here videos of Children’s talks about Easter.
Maundy Thursday
This Maundy Thursday is like none other that we have observed. Rather than gathering to pray and reflect together in the church, remembering Jesus last supper with his disciples, we will be in our homes, with family or alone, recalling the night when Jesus gathered in an upper room with his friends.
You may download here some simple prayers to accompany your meal on Thursday that you may know Jesus in the breaking of bread together, through the scriptures and in your prayers. I have included a simple bannock recipe as well to share as part of your meal (it will pair well with your favourite wine or juice). I encourage you to wash the hands or feet of one another in your house, remembering Jesus call to loving service of one another. If you are alone, as you wash your hands remember those who are with you in spirit and praying for you and know also that we wash our hands so much in the midst of this pandemic, not in fear, but in love and care for those most vulnerable to the spread of the virus.
It is a holy night, when we join with Jesus in his prayers in the garden, awaiting the sorrow of his betrayal and death and trusting in the will and work of God. You may want to read in prayer Matthew 26-27
For the children of our community, this video expresses well the journey of holy week so far.
The Sixth Word
It is finishedJohn 19:30
Here is a brief video of Rev. Nick talking a bit about this scripture. Please zoom in for discussion about this scripture together Wednesday evening at 7pm.
We will continue to gather by zoom to read pray and study together in the coming weeks. Use this poll to help decide what we’ll study next.
The Fifth Word
I Thirst
John 19:29
Rev. Joyce has offered this reflection on the 5th word. I hope you can join us Wednesday April 1st at 7pm by zoom meeting to discuss this scripture. https://us04web.zoom.us/j/665617995
Crucifixion was one of the most painful forms of capital punishment.Thomas Davis, a medical doctor, has studied what effect crucifixion has on the body. Here is what he says:”As the arms fatigue, great waves of cramps sweep over the muscles, knotting them in deep, relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps comes the inability to push Himself upward. Hanging by His arms, the pectoral muscles are paralysed, and the intercostal muscles are unable to act. Air can be drawn into the lungs, but cannot be exhaled. Jesus fights to raise Himself to get even one short breath. Finally, carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs, and the bloodstream and the cramps partially subside. Spasmodically, He was able to push Himself upward to exhale and bring in the life-giving oxygen…Hours of this limitless pain, cycles of twisting, joint-rending cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, searing pain as tissue is torn from His lacerated back as He moves up and down against the rough timber. Then, another agony begins. A deep crushing pain in the chest as the pericardium slowly fills with serum and begins to compress the heart. It is now almost over—the loss of tissue fluid has reached a critical level—the compressed heart is struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood into the tissues—the tortured lungs are making a frantic effort to gasp in small gulps of air. The markedly dehydrated tissues send their flood of stimuli to the brain. (“The Crucifixion of Jesus: The Passion of Christ from a Medical Point of View” Arizona Medicine, Vol. 22, March 1965, 183-187)
It is easy to see then why Jesus was thirsty. Psalm 22 seems to be a full description of the Crucifixion even though crucifixion had not yet been invented. Vs. 15 says “My strength is dried up like a potsherd and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.” John mentions that someone tried to help Jesus by lifting a sponge filled with wine vinegar to his lips on a branch hyssop. Beside the act of kindness we are reminded that the Lamb of God is being sacrificed in the same manner as the Passover Lamb. The blood that was painted on the lintel and door frame of Hebrew homes so that the Angel of Death would pass by their homes was done using a branch of hyssop. (Exodus 12) So Jesus becomes the final Passover Lamb as he passes over from Death to Life and accomplishes our Salvation.
The question that becomes important for me is “Do I thirst for Christ and give my life fully for his use and glory?” Perhaps as we contemplate the pain he experienced for our sins we can make a new and deeper commitment to our Lord and Saviour.
My prayers and blessings to you all
Rev. Joyce Mellor
Next Week the scripture is
It is finished.
John 19:30